SAM #PCA-NIMH-02135

Sole Source Procurement of Darwin Chambers Thermoelectric Incubators for NIH Research

This opportunity involves the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Mental Health's Laboratory of Molecular Biology/Section on Neural Function (LMB/SNF), seeking specialized research equipment: - Government Buyer: - National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Laboratory of Molecular Biology/Section on Neural Function (LMB/SNF) - OEM and Vendor: - Darwin Chambers (sole source, proprietary equipment) - Products/Services Requested: - Two (2) Insect Rearing Chambers (thermoelectric incubators with lighting and humidity control) - Part Number: IN034 - Purpose: Housing Drosophila stock collections under controlled conditions for research reproducibility - Shipping (1 unit) - Installation (1 unit) - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Only Darwin Chambers can provide the required equipment and maintenance - Set aside for small businesses under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) - Delivery required within 30 days after award - Place of Performance/Delivery: - National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892

Description

PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE –  Notice of Intent to Sole Source 1.    SOLICITATION NUMBER: PCA-NIMH-02135

2.    TITLE: Thermoelectric incubator with lighting and humidity control

3.    RESPONSE DATE: April 24, 2026, at 4:00 pm EST. 

4.    PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Elaine Estrella Contract Specialist Elaine.estrella@nih.gov

Brian Lind Contract Specialist Brian.lind@nih.gov

I.    INTRODUCTION: THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). 

The Laboratory of Molecular Biology/Section on Neural Function (LMB/SNF) requires these thermoelectric incubator with lighting and humidity control in order to house our collection of Drosophila stocks.

II.    NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS

NAICS code 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a business size standard of 1000 employees. 

This acquisition IS set aside for small businesses.

III.    REGULATORY AUTHORITY  The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-07 dated 08-29-2024.

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and FAR subpart 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items at an amount exceeding the SAT and not exceeding $7 million.

IV.    STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and the statutory authority of [specify the applicable authority: (1) FAR 6.302-1—Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1). 

V.    DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT: A.    PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:

The LMB/SNF studies the effects of hormonal regulation on behavior and the system we use is Drosophila.  In order for our experiments to be reproducible, our flies must be grown under standard conditions of temperature, humidity, and lighting.  The thermoelectric incubator with lighting and humidity control requested will allow us to control all of these variables and to house all of our stock collections.

B.    PRODUCT REQUIREMENT:

Catalog Number IN034 Description: Insect Rearing Chamber Quantity 2 Includes: Shipping/Handling and Installation

C.    DELIVERY DATE:

Within 30 days after receipt of award.

VI.    CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION

The determination by the Government to award a contract without providing for full and open competition is based upon the market research conducted. Specifically, Darwin Chambers is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the services required by LMB/SNF. The equipment is proprietary to its manufacturer, Darwin Chambers, and this company is the sole provider of maintenance for this equipment.

In accordance with FAR part 10, extensive market research was conducted to reach this determination. Additionally, contacts with knowledgeable individuals both in industry and Government, as well as reviews of available product literature, revealed no other sources. Finally, a review of the GSA Advantage, Dynamic Small Business Search, and previous government acquisitions returned no results that meet all of the requirements. Therefore, only Darwin Chambers is capable of meeting the needs of this requirement.

The intended source is:

Darwin Chambers 2945 Washington Avenue Saint Louis, MO 63103-1305 USA

VII.    CLOSING STATEMENT

THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. 

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response.

Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, PCA-NIMH-02135. Responses must be submitted electronically to Elaine Estrella, contract specialist at elaine.estrella@nih.gov or Brian Lind, contract specialist at brian.lind@nih.gov   

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